Sex

7 Relationship Tips for Fresh Ways to Spice Up Your Love Life

Relationships are hard work. It never plateaus to a place of everlasting peace; and the most important relationship is the one with yourself. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t spice it up. Here are seven relationship tips to help freshen your love life.

A relationship with a significant other needs attention, love and care. Only you can know in your heart if a partnership isn’t right and not worth sticking around for. Yet once you’ve committed to someone, you can guarantee times you’ll need to give a little push to spice up your relationship. These seven relationship tips can help to fuel some zest into your love life. (Pssst! They nurture you, too).

1. Get Formal

You might be comfortable enough with each other to lazy around all weekend in your pajamas eating ice cream out of the carton (and that kind of comfort is pure bliss), but change it up with a formal date night. Dress to the nines like you did when you were first courting. Reserve a table at that special restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Tapas is a great cuisine choice because you share all the dishes. It’s not about sticking your face in your own plate, but talking and coming up with mutual orders to share. Plus, it won’t hurt to add a relaxing glass of wine or two.

2. Break Routine

The mundane tasks of going to work, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, taking care of pets or children can become a bit of a hamster wheel. We vent about coworkers or that one guy on the subway. Break the routine by being spontaneous! Do something together you’ve never done before. Stay up late dancing (even in your living room–actually, especially in your living room) or go out to that outdoor summer movie you’ve always wanted to catch. Plunge into thrills and take small risks in life you won’t do normally. This will spice up your relationship and move you both forward as human beings.

3. Communicate the Past and Future

We’ve all heard (and some of us might know first hand) communication is the root of a long lasting, honest and healthy relationship. Talk openly with one another. Talk about the past and the future. Stir up old memories: Nostalgia can be an aphrodisiac. Reminisce on how far you’ve come, laugh at moments that seemed impossible and yet somehow you overcame them together. Dream about the future: Where do you imagine traveling together? What are your goals, both personally and mutually? What will your kitchen look like? Your bathroom? Bedroom?

4. Satisfy Your Stomachs

Indeed, the way to the heart is through the stomach. Try cooking a new and exciting nourishing meal. Get creative. In the age of the Internet, the availability of any recipe is at our fingertips. Plan once a week to whip up an innovative dish you’ve never tried before.

5. Watch a Romantic Movie

Cuddling under a heartfelt (cerebral, not too mushy) love story can rekindle your own feelings towards one another. I love old classics like Sullivan’s Travels, It Happened One Night, or Roman Holiday and newer films like Before Sunrise, True Romance or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Sex is magical. And a ‘well made bed’ is as important for a relationship’s health as anything else. Pick up a copy of The Guide to Getting It On. This book is the ultimate sex text. It takes a comfortable, no baloney approach to human sexuality with the central focus on play and pleasure. Filled with fun tricks and tips, it covers everything from ‘how to’ (insert silly name here) sex positions, to exploring and mastering your and your partner’s body.

7. Create New Memories Together

As you continue to live life side by side, don’t forget to create new memories together. Go outdoors, take a walk, swim or plan a simple getaway. Be sure not to over plan; let the enjoyment of time away do the work. Remember: The more you give, the more you receive.

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